Bhubaneswar, March 30: The political landscape in Keonjhar district is abuzz with anticipation as both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vie for the support of Sanatan Mahakud, the former MLA from Champua.
Mahakud was an Independent MLA representing the Champua constituency in Odisha’s iron ore-rich Keonjhar district in 2014.
Unlike many, he has not only gained political prominence but also endeared himself to the local populace through his social initiatives. Mahakud has been actively involved in social service within his assembly segment and adjecent constituency like Telkoi, Patna, and Keonjhar Sadar.
His contributions include providing free seeds to farmers, offering free medical services to the underprivileged, and distributing blankets during cold days. These efforts have solidified his political grip over the Keonjhar district.
In the 2019 elections, Mahakud was not given the opportunity to contest directly. However, his influence was palpable. He played a pivotal role in the selection of candidates for the BJD. He recommended Chandrani Murmu as the BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate and Minakshi as the MLA candidate for Champua assembly seat. Both candidates secured comfortable victories in the election. Additionally, Sanatan’s supporters triumphed in the Telekoi constituency.
With the alliance between BJD and BJP coming to a halt, both parties are now eyeing Mahakud’s support. It is said that one of the groups in BJP has been in touch with him, hoping for his endorsement. Similarly, the BJD is also said to be in contact with Sanatan.
Despite the suspense, Sanatan has expressed interest in contesting from the Champua assembly seat in the upcoming election..
In this high-stakes political game, the question remains: Which party will Sanatan Mahakud ultimately support? Only time will reveal the answer, but his influence continues to shape Keonjhar’s political landscape.
